Putin Rebuffs Bush's Iraq, Iran Initiatives

September 28, 2003|By Bob Kemper CHICAGO TRIBUNE

WASHINGTON — President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed their strong diplomatic and personal relations Saturday, but Bush was unable to win from Putin a commitment to aid U.S. forces in Iraq or to end Russian assistance to Iran's nuclear-power program.

Putin, who recently said U.S. difficulties in securing and rebuilding postwar Iraq validated his decision not to support the U.S.-led war there, said Russia wants to see Iraq returned to stability quickly.

But he made clear that Russia would not contribute troops or money to the effort unless the United Nations is allowed to play a much more prominent role than Bush has offered it.

Putin, ending an overnight visit with Bush at Camp David, also rebuffed U.S. entreaties to stop helping Iran build a nuclear reactor. The United States insists that oil-rich Iran wants the reactor so it can develop a nuclear bomb, but Putin has maintained that Russia's $800 million contract in Iran is not aiding a weapons program.

Putin joined Bush in asserting opposition to Iran acquiring a nuclear bomb and called on Iran to cooperate with international nuclear weapons inspectors.

"We share a goal," Bush said, "and that is to make sure Iran doesn't have a nuclear weapon or a nuclear weapons program."

Having made little or no demonstrable progress on the urgent issues facing them, Bush and Putin went to great lengths in a joint meeting before reporters to stress the strength of their relations even in the face of disagreement.

"We have proven once again that our partnership is not subject to political deal making," Putin said. "Despite all the difficulties that we have to overcome, the spirit and the basic principles of our relationship have remained the same: mutual confidence, openness, predictability and consideration and respect of [the] interests of each other."

Said Bush: "Old suspicions are giving way to new understanding and respect. Vladimir and I had some very frank discussions about Iraq. I understood his position. He understood mine. Because we've got a trustworthy relationship, we're able to move beyond any disagreement over a single issue. Plus, I like him, he's a good fellow to spend quality time with."

"Thank you, George, for your warm words," Putin responded.

Putin offered an ominous story -- the first time he has told it publicly, he said -- about a potential Russian-U.S. conflict that was avoided because the two leaders enjoy warm personal relations.

"When counter-terrorist operations began in Afghanistan we were approached by people who intended to fight against Americans in Afghanistan," Putin said. "And if by that time President Bush and I had not formed [an] appropriate relationship, as we have, no one knows what turn would the developments in Afghanistan had taken." Putin did not identify the nation or group that approached Russia.